Paraguay Congress condemns flag insult
Reuters - Thursday 12 March 2009, 20:51
ASUNCION - Paraguay's Congress has
condemned the use of the country's flag by fans of Argentine
side Independiente to insult rivals Boca Juniors during a match.
"We want to express our total and utter repudiation at this
discriminatory act against Paraguayans and Bolivians by a group
of misfits," said Congressman Victor Rios as members voted in
favour of a motion to condemn the incident.
Paraguayan and Bolivian flags with the number 12 marked on
them were waved by Independiente supporters during the first
division game in Buenos Aires on Sunday.
Boca Juniors have traditionally enjoyed widespread support
among the working class and their fan base is reputed to include
substantial numbers of immigrants from Bolivia and Paraguay.
Their supporters are often known as "the 12th man" or simply
"12". Rival fans use the terms Bolivian and Paraguayan as an
insult.
The president of the Paraguayan Football Association (APF),
Juan Angel Napout, said he considered the matter closed.
"I don't think that these few represent the majority," he
told reporters.
"I think that the great club of Independiente, having had
Arsenio Erico as one of its greatest players as well as many
other Paraguayans, does not think this way."
One of Independiente's most famous players is Paraguayan
striker Erico, who scored an Argentine record of 293 goals for
the club between 1934 and 1947.
Independiente have publicly condemned the supporters'
behaviour.